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Evolution From Camping to Glamping: A Photo Essay for #ThrowbackThursday


Rocking a dress while grilling on a camping trip. Once a glamper, always a glamper

Rocking a dress while grilling on a camping trip. Once a glamper, always a glamper

Until today I have resisted #throwbackthursday because I dislike social media peer pressure (an twitter alliteration) and I find much of it gimmicky.

But as I’ve spent this week editing photos I shot on my trip on assignment for Glamping.com to Cresto Ranch and Dunton Hot Springs in Colorado, I decided to include some of of these pictures of family camping trips of my youth to make a point: once a glamper, always a glamper.

Inspecting my tea for bugs on a rafting trip on the Salmon river

Inspecting my tea for bugs on a rafting trip on the Salmon river

Me by a campfire

Left: Me by a campfire.  Right: Smores in the works at The Resort at Paws Up

I’m pretty sure my dad still has that tent in the picture. I vividly remember it’s musty smokey smell.

The tents at Cresto Ranch (complete with comfy bedding, wifi and bathrooms) are more comfortable than ripstop nylon tents of my youth, yet still give you the camping experience. You still wake to the sounds of the birds and river. You still come across random bugs, but your back doesn’t ache from sleeping on the hard ground. And you can take a hot shower.

 


The tents at Cresto Ranch are comfy yet still feel like camping

When I was a kid summer vacations were spent on trips that started with my parents packing all four of us kids into the family truckster and heading out west. We visited many National Parks (Glacier was a favorite). When we camped we brought in everything. There were no bathroom facilities. It was not posh. But it was fun.

Rafting with my brothers and cousin (who later became a ranger)

Rafting with my brothers and cousin (who later became a ranger)

We usually went white water rafting for several days at a time– the trip I remember most involved several days on the Middle Fork of the Salmon River in Idaho. I learned to fish on that trip. I attempted to master fishing that summer to no avail. Maybe I’ll try again when I return to Montana next month.

I got my feet (and seat) wet learning to wade while fishingI got my feet (and seat) wet learning to wade while fishing

Glamping self-portrait in Montana, still rocking a dress

Glamping self-portrait in Montana, still rocking a dress

I still enjoy the camping experience and glamping takes a lot of the hassle out of it. If you didn’t grow up camping and aren’t sure if you’d like it– give  glamping a try. You might like it.